Inward banking vehicle with combined banking arm and pendulum axle construction



Nov. 24, 1953 J. KOLBE 2,660,254

INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH COMBINED BANKING ARM AND PENDULUM AXLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 18, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 f1: Vewlor Nov. 24, 1953 OLBE 2,660,254

J. K INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH COMBINED BANKING ARM AND PENDULUM AXLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 18, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [22 Men or aim/11m A a/e Nov. 24, 1953 J. KOLBE INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH COMBINED BANKING ARM AND PENDULUM AXLE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheet s-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 18, 1947 Nov. 24, 1953 J. KOLBE 2,660,254

INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH COMBINED BANKING ARM AND PENDULUM AXLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 18, 194'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J/largaq Patented Nov. 24, 1953 UNITED Tm:- QEEi-ci;

INWARD: BANKING VEHICLE. WITH COM: BINED BANKING; ARM AND PENDULUM QQ I EEUCT e l iv hil 1' dri e wh s whi h ar e lliib e e e le' The invention is p a ticnliengly applicepiole toTthe. construction of pegsenger' antomobilesfhgying, ur he s W521 133:1? i w ri e qqtstitu the st e n he ls. nsi. t? we. Pai 2 ee scons itu in heq v wh ele:

In he on en ional; wer qm a her e theree dr ve w ee e ev h ni fl e 'bir a i id re mxle minin whiteenie .t 1 ferential, eonneeted to; the engine by. a longitu; al dr e heit ile wit 1 91 a qonstruq i i hat always, been problem} in uto de i 0 d qm pt w.

In many European cars, hereto fore, here a smaller vertic ;wh e iosei letismi g e $"1 sidered permisgible, a, pen ulpm eq e struc g n ha lbeenemplo ed wher m @91 ear r e hge g and. ts esp nsi ne mu in mem e it n e to h dfi nen ie hquhsin -z nd n: new: issecuredto he u rst iuqtii e ii-t 0115 form o end lum. xle 91.

been employedhe an ula m reme itm mret inv h s. type orcon rul ip et-ween h di i r l entiale d t x s; alway been r q b16m-v F m fi r nt; adst f e tv a. di er nt: wheel posi on and the wh els en tQ. kie 'ie i in treadrwir th and. angli ar t under ween r ast condit oner,

one of; the, r nc a c ieqts. 9f: he mt ee t ez Y -111m s w man e su atantial. pe Q?" he unsp zung, We ht o he r ar ax e. eemblyt 201 sprun we gh atte he ito. they upe str tu e and; at; the, ame" ime cont he whee L it s snast re ime a y Q e ee n r ad. r dthfa a n. an u ar Qsit pn Anot r.- o e t f: the. re tien is to rqv qe. we -oi' hepend glumax e in wh h at: 8 73 Increment; f the center of g a it Qt he super t t-u tu n un esi c ntrolle nd t l zed. tqfifieetan nward ankin o the u er rusture- Aliether bie-Qt s to rov e a. ar all; W e le nde ndent m unted, mplud: nter heme r ewhe le an i w ich k wh el position is controlled by a meghe nmm provigling nw Wr t n ihe ruper imtwn Q1 Q l y smell-er v r pa c l tion of any whee mattret9) the er er twc re g ve th seme ere t e e. ere -t "e ticelfl q ietipn er withe c nt nent-9 9 9- t et e e wi of ride may be obtained with less @Qlillfil er ti aI areal onfin n L A er ebi g i t ade t th e dulum x eqneiririieri o me a 7 wi iisint l vehicle havinglalqwer 'oentenof gra tyl' the softness of. ride and without objectionable changes in tread Width alnd Wheel pogiti'on Another, obj act is to, improvefthe, contrpl 0:5 the Wheel position in pendulum. yxle' 'oons'trl'ictiqliaf Another ohjeet iSto"impfioxie;thefeontrol' oi, t

lateral movement of the center ofgr e y ityof Anothenoh'jectisiofp I counterbankin'g cars in hih'thefiyhel, pOS'itio' H is controlled during banking t 1e e'r space, thereby enablingjfth lesstotal Width than to giol' Another objeet is tdIrSrovid'e for rear 'seat width for eoun'trba,

Anotherobjec't iS vtQpl pi iiti Another obj ect isto eliminate thef tendency in pendulum means.

Another object is; tolelimir'mlte, the. side s wa vertial oecillation ofltheIdriv sh t Arneriean Cars, hhd'tb? 1311 which the floonof thefclarnwma Another obj eet, is to imme se A movement of one penqumm tingle. resfa'ct to t p nte n r were during vertieal (inmate.

OtherIobjects and; advantages of, the invention are set forth h'rineftrf" Theinvention combines'the prineiples oi. pendnli n n; construoti'on. w t tlgi o'flbankin ar S ut Wei i r r j in w n' ii ifi. -li tiel carried by. thes nperstrn ctnr eg amt-h gh. oefs, not interfere with either the banking eiqtion or the vertiqel osoillt'tion' ofth wheel s. The nenk d um x e ceei r eflme l b Q k z a 0115 forms 0fCQ1P1S I]l. ll (3tl( ).'[1 Elli]? yingrigidfwhel, and axle assemblies 2mgnlar1 moi/able mauve; to the diiierential The inward} hanli ingf Syriacture may be of. the banking, alrrri tyifiefsuch for. instance, as that Set forth in opendingeldbliqd tion Sferinl No. 125062, filed stinger; 24, 1957, issued to Patent No: 2,5763%, "ori' Novemberi 217, 1951, and the earlier copen ding application e'ri'al No. 'ezz'zee-jfilekiFebruary '14, 1M4 indebandonedonjmarh 2,1 94911537the1p said earlier application filed The principles of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partially schematic, of a car embodying the invention and in which the differential swings on a substantially vertical pivot;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the car in a banked position on a turn;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective rear end view of a car construction similar to that of Fig. l, but in which the differential swings on an inclined pivot;

Fig. 4 is a schematic end elevation of the construction of Fig. 3 showing the parts in banking position on a curve;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 in which leaf springs are employed and the differential swings on a substantially horizontal pivot;

Fig. 6 is a schematic end elevation of the construction of Fig. 5 showing the parts in banking position on a curve;

Fig. '7 is a View similar to Fig. 3 in which the swinging of the dilferential is guided by links providing a substantially horizontal pivot at infinity; and

Fig. 8 is a schematic end elevation of the con struction of Fig. '7 showing the parts in banking position on a curve.

Various constructions may be employed utilizing the principles illustrated.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the superstructure I is shown as having the usual frame 2, engine 3 and car body A.

The forward end or" the superstructure l supported on a pair of banking arms 5 having the road wheels 6 at their outer ends.

The rear end of the superstructure i is supported by a pair of banking arms I disposed between the frame 2 and the road and which include the pendulum axle housings s and the corresponding wheels 9. The rear wheels 9 support the outer ends of the pendulum axle housings 8.

The inner ends of the pendulum axle housings 8 are secured to the corresponding opposite sides of the differential housing if) by suitable pivotal joints illustrated as ball and socket enclosed universal joints l I.

The differential housing and its contents are carried by the superstructure in a manner to allow the differential to remain intermediate the wheels 5 while the superstructure i moves laterally into a banked position. For this DU.- pose, the differential housing is of Figs. 1 and 2 is constructed with a forward extension 52 which is pivoted to a frame cross-member [3 by a pivot bearing it having a vertical axis. The drive shaft extending rearwardly from the transmission for engine 3 to differential it has a universal joint is therein at or near the axis i? of pivot joint M to provide for swinging of the differential.

In the construction of Fig. 3 the axis ll of pivot joint i4 is inclined at an angle from the vertical. In the construction of Fig. 5 the joint H5 is above housing if! and the axis ll of the joint is hori zontal. In this latter construction universal joint 15 is retained in shaft is near the differential iii and the drive shaft is has to have an additional universal joint 58 disposed at its forward end to allow the shaft to swing laterally with the differential housing 1 6, while vertical oscillation of the shaft is eliminated.

The positioning of pivot joint it and of its axis ll determines to a substantial extent the control of the angular movement of wheels 9 during vertical oscillation and during banking of the superstructure.

Where the axis of pivot M is disposed vertically, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the wheels 9 tend to tilt outwardly on curves, and a greater seat width and a smaller fender space is made possible for the wheels for a given inward banking movement of the superstructure, than where the axis is horizontal.

Where the axis II of joint id is horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis of superstructure l, as shown in Fig. 5, the wheels 8 tend to tilt inwardly on curves, and a greater fender space is required for the wheels for a given inward banking movement of the superstructure. However, such cars may have increased safety against skidding.

Where the axis H of the joint i l is inclined at a selected angle of about as shown in Fig. 3, the wheels 5 remain substantially vertical during banking of the superstructure on curves.

Any desired control of the whee-ls 9 may be obtained by selectively determining the angle of the axis 17 of pivot joint i l.

The construction of each banking arm 1 for Figs. 1 and 2 embodies an arm i9 pivoted at its inner end to the superstructure l by a hinge joint 25 providing a pivotal banking axis 2! for the banking arm. The outer end of each banking arm 1 is the road contact point between the tire of the corresponding wheel and the road.

The outer end of arm I9 is pivoted to the cor responding axle housing 8 by forked pivotal joint 22 having a vertical axis and serving to resist the brake forces.

Each arm [9 is articulated and has a pivotal joint 23 therein disposed substantially horizontally for vertical oscillation of the corresponding wheel 9 relative to the superstructure. The axis 2 3 of joint 23 should pass substantially through the center of universal joint ii to provide free dom of vertical oscillation for the corresponding wheel regardless of the position of differential housing It! relative to the superstructure, to thereby reduce the turn about the banking hinge during oscillation to a minimum.

A coil spring 25 may be disposed between frame cross-member l3 and an upstanding arm 26 on the outer vertical oscillation part of arm is, to resist vertical oscillation of the wheel 9 relative to the superstructure and also turning movement at banking axis 2i, as set forth in copending application Serial No. 742,496, referred to above.

The positioning of banking axes 2|, including their inclination and position relative to wheels 9, determines the banking effect obtainable on curves, and should be correlated to the banking arms 5 of the front mounting to provide the desired inward banking for the superstructure on curves. In banking, the center of mass of superstructure 1 moves laterally toward the outside of the curve and the lowermost parts of the superstructure move outwardly the most, so that the superstructure is in effect tilted or banked inwardly on the turn.

In order to provide freedom of lateral movement for the under parts of the superstructure, the invention provides a floating action for the differential Ill relative to the superstructure, as by the pivotal joint It, referred to, or by some equivalent means.

Where the pivotal axis ll of joint i4 is vertical, the distance between axis I! and the center of each universal joint II should be substantially ithessamezaszthefdistancerbetweenithe:correspondingabanking exist I :andathepivotjoint :22 of the acorresponding .hankinglarm and shouldwnstiituteradiitbearingzsubstantially1the same: r l .to the corresponding axis, 'as indicated by :the curved broken I lines passing through the respective joints 1- I and-22, in order that lateral move- :ment of the superstructure irelative tothe wheels on curves does '-:not :produce sub-steering in i the .wheels.

With axis H vertical, the differential housing :IO tilts :01 hanks in thesame direction as the superstructure l c'ounterbanks on a :curve and effectsiraisingtof the iointtt on the outside ofthe curve and loweringofthejoint =Il :onthe inside :of the curve, thereby causing the wheels 9 r to. in- :cline -outwardly of thecurve, as previouslyde- .scribed.

Wherexthe axis I1 is horizontal, the differential 'housing Jil-tiltslin a direction opposite to the direction 'of =counterbanking of the superstructure .onzacurve, and efiects lowering of the Joint .l-I -.onthe outside of thecurve and raisingaof the joint H on the inside of the curve, thereby causing thewheelsQ-to inclineinwardlyof the curve, i

as previously described.

.-Inclination-of axis H maybe utilizedto'maintainldifferential housing In substantially .hori- -.zontal-as itifloats orswings-relativeto the superstructure during counterbanking of the latter on a curve, thereby maintaining the wheels 9 substantially perpendicular at all times.

.Ihe bankin arm constructionof Figsr3-and 4 .is substantiallythe sameasthat of Figs. 1 and 2.

.The-bankingrarm construction ofFigs. 5 and 6 difiersriromthat of Figsel tot-bythe substitution iof-aleaf spring :21 for-the coil spring 25. Any suitable .resilient means may be employed for controlling the-banking. arms, asexplained in the lcopending applications referred to .above.

In .Figs. ;5 and .6 leaf .spring 21 .is secured .centrally to differential housing 10 andhas its toppositeends connectedbyshackles 28 to corresponding brackets 29 on the outer -.ends-of the corresponding pendulum axlehousings Wren-the .adjacentbrake drums. Theipend-ulum axle housiingslB arehingedattheir inner endszto thedif- ,ferential housing lilby hinges .30 extending par- .allel .to .axis ti .oncorresponding horiz n l axis .3].

housingsrt by ball andzsocketjointsdz in-place-of .m fnrked pivotal joints of the -.constructicns of :Eigslto 4;.

.In Fig.5 the height of axis I? oipivot l4 above differential housing it] determines the amount and direction of tilting f :thehousing as :the superstructure 1 .moves laterally during banking. In generalthisheightis limited by space-require- -,ments. Where .the pivot M can i be located. adja- .cent .the back of the .rear seat .of 'the' car, .a

substantialheightcan be obtained fortherpivot, therebyreducingrthe tilting of housing it .10 a given bankin action of superstructure I,

The pivot it in the construction shown :in Fig. .5 .should be constructed to provide for .a vsmall shifting of the differential-housing It longitudi- .nally of the superstructure during banking, -,to thereby-compensate for thep-ivotal action of the banking arms. Likewise the drive shaft 15 .should be constructed to provide for the longitudinalshiftingof the difierential.

Figs. 7 and .8 illustrate .apconstruction utilizing .coil springs and in which theeficctive horizontal axis 1 .1 has been raised substantially .to infinity, thereby causing thedifierential housing to to tilt The arms 19 are securedto the outer-ends of 6 inwardly oncurvesisubstati llyth s me as the inward banking of the superstructure.

This is accomplished by suspending the-.diflerential ho s n H) from thesuperstructu e by a 'pair of links 33 shown as substantially vertical, .on'oppositesidesof the housing. The links .33 are pivoted to the'cross-member I3of frame? and to housing ill by pivotal joints 34 having horizontal *axes substantially parallel to the ion..- "gitudinal' axis of the superstructure andproviding for longitudinal .shiftingof the housing Ill during banking.

The banking arms :1 areemployedto-efiect inward banking of the superstructure on turns-and provide for vertical oscillation of the Wheels.

The links 33 are shown parallel and in this position they maintain housing i0 substantially ,paralleLto-the superstructure at all times, similar to the construction of Figs. land 2.

Where links 33 :are made to diverge downwardly, the housing 9 may be I maintained 1 substantially parallel to the road, similar to the construction of Fig.'5,-or to tilt in an opposite direction to the banking direction of the superstructure, similar to the construction of Fig. depending upon the degree of divergence.

In all of the constructions employing banking arms and with universal joints connecting the pendulum axles to .the differential, the "vertical oscillation of the wheels.9. is effected on the horizontal axis 2-; which extends angularly ina di tion generally transverse .to the car, thereby modifying the pendulum. action obtained to pro.- vide a forward and: rearward component ofmovementfor thevvheel during vertical oscillation.

In all of the constructions-of the invention, the maximum vertical oscillation of the wheels required for zi -given softness of ride ,is substantially less than that heretofore required. I-l e inward bankingsuspension for all .four wheels of the car enablesa tvaving-action of the super.- .structure relative to the toad and vice versa, .even without provision for separate-vertical oscill-ationtof the wheels and which transmits vertical oscilla i n -from onew d ore-direc ly to the Wheel diagonally pposite th e w re y less total yertical .oseillatienrof the Wheel relative to the-sup r tructure is o i e By r a o oft e smaller vertical oscillation required for a given softness of ride with the bankin vehicle Clea scribed, it is possible to utilize-thependulum axle construction and obtain a softness of a ride'comparable to m r can car es gn Wi h ut r au deg n n ular movem nt .for the axles c i a e, ca wb cl oscillationth ti re t r than hat employed f r pen lum xles in Eur pean sear desi n fact ma espr ic l the-adaptation 5 n id n axle oon 'u ti nlto A ric n cars.

employed within the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle having a superstructure adapted to bank inwardly on turns and a plurality of pairs of wheels for supporting the same, the combination for at least one pair of said wheels of pendulum axles and correlated banking arms connected to the superstructure and disposed to provide for independent vertical oscillation of the wheels relative to the superstructure and for lateral movement of the superstructure relative to the wheels during banking, the outer ends of said pendulum axles constituting respectively part of the corresponding banking arms, means carried by the superstructure and universally connected to said pendulum axles to guide the same during vertical oscillation of the wheels and also during actuation of said banking arms,

and wheel carriers for the other Wheels supporting said superstructure to effect inward banking of the superstructure on curves in correlation to the action of said banking arms.

2. In a vehicle having a superstructure and a pair of drive wheels driven from a differential,

the combination of a non-extensible pendulum axle suspension for the drive wheels and of a banking arm support for the superstructure to effect inward banking thereof on turns, the outer ends of the pendulum axles of said suspension constituting a part of the corresponding banking arms and the inner ends of the pendulum axles being universally secured to said differential, and means to suspend the differential from the superstructure to provide for relative lateral movement I of the same during actuation of said banking arms, whereby a softer ride may be obtained for a given angular movement of the pendulum axles.

3. In a vehicle having a superstructure, an inward banking suspension for said superstructure including a plurality of pairs of wheels for supporting the same, the combination for at least one pair of wheels of non-extensible pendulum axles having their inner ends tied together, correlated banking arms having the outer ends of the corresponding pendulum axles incorporated therein, and means disposed to shift the inner ends of said pendulum axles laterally relative to the superstructure to guide the same during actuation of said banking arms.

4. In a vehicle having an inward superstructure, a bean ling suspension for said superstructure including a plurality of pairs of wheels for supporting the same, the combination for at least one pair of wheels of non-extensible pendulum axles having their inner ends tied together, correlated banking arms having the outer ends of the corresponding pendulum axles incorporated therein, and means disposed to shift the inner ends of said pendulum axles laterally relative to the superstructure and to shift said inner ends vertically relative to each other to control the position of the wheels during movement of said banking arms relative to the superstructure.

5. In a vehicle having a superstructure, a banking suspension for said superstructure including a plurality of pairs of wheels for supporting the same to effect inward banking of the superstructure on turns, the combination for at least one pair of wheels of non-extensible pendulum axles, correlated banking arms having the outer ends of the corresponding pendulum axles incorporated therein, and a support for the inner ends of said pendulum axles universally connected to all said axles in correlation to the banking arms to effect a control of the wheels both during vertical oscillation and during banking, said support being carried by the superstructure and disposed to shift laterally relative thereto during banking.

6. In a vehicle having a superstructure, a banking suspension for said superstructure including a plurality of pairs of wheels for supporting the same to effect inward banking of the superstructure on turns, the combination for at least one pair of wheels of non-extensible pendulum axles, correlated banking arms having the outer ends of the corresponding pendulum axles incorporated therein and providing for both vertical oscillation of the wheels and banking of the superstructure, and a support for the inner ends of said pendulum axles universally connected to said axles in correlation to the banking arms to efiect a control of the wheels both during vertical oscillation and during banking, said support being carried by the superstructure and disposed to shift laterally relative thereto during banking, and to tilt relative to the superstructure to control the position of the wheels during banking.

7. In a vehicle, a superstructure, a pair of laterally spaced drive wheels therefor, a pair of steerable wheels therefor spaced forwardly of said drive wheels, banking arm suspensions pivotally connected to said superstructure and including said wheels to effect inward banking of the superstructure on turns and provide a spring suspension for the superstructure, a diiferential disposed centrally between said drive wheels and connected to said superstructure as a part of the sprung weight of the vehicle, and a pendulum axle for driving each drive wheel from said differential, the connection between said differential and the superstructure providing for free relative lateral movement therebetween, whereby said banking arms control the relative lateral position of said wheels and superstructure at all times.

8. In a vehicle, a superstructure constituting the sprung weight of the vehicle, a plurality of pairs of wheels for supporting the same, at least one of said pairs of wheels constituting the drive wheels therefor, a spring cushioned banking arm suspension including said wheels and disposed between the superstructure and the road support for said wheels whereby lateral movement of the superstructure in response to centrifugal forces on turns efiects inward banking of the superstructure, a differential disposed between said pair of drive wheels and constituting a part of the sprung weight along with said superstructure, and a non-extensible pendulum axle extending universally from said differential to each of said drive wheels of said pair to drive the same, the outer end of each pendulum axle constituting a part of the corresponding banking arm, and said differential and superstructure being connected to move relative to each other in correlation to the movement of said banking arms during banking of the superstructure.

9. In a vehicle having a superstructure, a plurality of pairs of wheels for supporting the same and a banking suspension including said wheels to effect inward banking of the superstructure on turns, the combination for at least one pair of wheels of non-extensible pendulum axles, correlated banking arms having the outer ends of the corresponding pendulum axles incorporated therein, a support for the inner ends of said pendulum axles universally connected to said axles in correlation to the banking arms to effect a control of the wheels both during versausa es tt-icalanscillation" and: during banking, andaa :coninec-tionzbetweerr said supportiand the superstruc- 31111116 having an effectivezpivotal' axis spaced substantiallyrfromatherconnections between; the support an'd ipendulurn i ax-les to provide :for vrelative 'movement :between asaid latter :connections I and the superstructure in rieorrelation to the move- :ment of said banking 'arms during banking zof the superstructure.

10. In a vehiele, ca 1-.superstructure, a ,plurality of pairs of wheels for supporting the1same, eat least (sneer sa-i d pairs-:cf 2wheels cconstituting'izthe flriveiwheels therefor; banking-lawn:includings-a corresponding idrivelwheelcdisposeda between rthe effective road-icontact :ipoint sfor each wheel and 'the superstructure to ssupport 1 the latter :for inwvard banking on i turns, 2a tdiffeiential disposed between rsai'd ;;pair of :clrive 'zwheels, 2a pendulum axle extending".universallyifrom said differential tto eachi ofisacdizdrive wheelsmf saidipair, rand,

saiconnectiombetween saidrdifierentialsand superstructure With :the effective :pivota1 axis thereof ssubstantially .wertical and wspaced substantially from the differential whereby-lateral.movement iofthessuperstructure Lduring :banking effects a ilcorresponlding lateral movement of: the upper, part of .--the-wheels '.to e-reduce space requirements bettween i the superstructure w and wheels.

, llqalnia-vehicle having asuperstructure, apluirality :of; pairs of-whee1s for supportingithe same aand azbanking:suspension:includingwsaid wheels 'to' effect-inwardmanking'of the superstructure son turns, the combination for atleast oneipair :ofvwheelsrofipendulum: axles, fcorrelated banking arms, aisupport'for the inner endsiof-isaid pendualum vaX-les universally connected to said axles in correlation totheribankingiarms tozeffect a control of the wheels both during verticalhostcillation i and uduring -.-banking, and tan .efiective :pivotali connection between said-support ands-the superstructure with the ,pivotal aaxis thereof spaced-vertically abovettheconnections',-between :the-'Supportanol saidj pendulum axlesand extendlng substantially horizontally i longitudinally 1 of the -vehicle -whereby.: lateral imovement of the superstructure during banking effects a rtilting of the support .in --:a -direction to effect imvlard tilting of. the-wheels. one turn.

l2. Int-a-vehicle, aesuperstructure, a, plurality tof pairs of -wheels for Supporting thessame at least i one-.of said qrpairs of -wheels constituting the edrive *wheels therefor, ea banki ng warm dis- ;.posed between-the effective". road i contact-point uteri-each wheel and theisuperstructure tossupport the latter for inward:lbankingson-turnsaa' diiferentialrdisposed between said pair of drive wheels, a pendulum axle extending universally fronrsaidid'iiferentialzto' ea'chxof: said driver-wheels of said pain-and-a pivotal connection between said differential and superstructure with the effective ,pivotafaxis of the connection spaced vertically "above said differential and-extending substan- "tially horizontallylongitudinally of the-vehicle whereby lateral movement of the superstructure during banking'effects'atilting'of the differential in a direction to'tffectlinwardi tilting of the wheels'i-on a turn.

-l3.. In -a vehicle, a superstructure, Jar-plurality of pairs of wheels for supporting the same, at least one of said pairs of wheels constituting the drive wheels therefor, a banking arm disposed between the effective road contact point for each wheel and the superstructure to support the latter for inward banking on turns, a differential disposed between said pair of drive ill) wheels -a pendulum axle extending iuniversally ffromssaididifierential to eachiof saiddrive-wheels of said-,lpair, and .-;-a ,-pivotal 1 connection between --said differentialrandrsuperstructure :with theef- ,5 fectiveppivotal: axisithereof spaced,- fromthe rdif- .15 to provide for relative vertical oscillation bevtweentthe wheels-and the superstructure, ansupport 'for the: inner ends of .said pendulum axles, gander-a1 connection: between said support and the superstructure shaving an efiective pivotal axis .20 :extending substantially vertically and spaced longitudinally .of-1the vehicle, fromthe innerv ends of,said,pendulumt-axles to provide for the floatlinglof-said supportand a predeterminedjcontrol '.oftthe pendulumi-axles during banking.

:15. In :a vehicle, :a superstructure, a plurality .of ppairs of wheels for supporting the same, at least one of said pairs of wheelsconstitutingmhe drive wheels therefor, :a banking, arm A disposed between the eifectivesroad contact point for. each -wheel and the superstructure to .support the latter for inward-banking on turns, adifierential disposed between said pair of r drive wheels, -a

pendulum .ax-le f extending universally pivotally fromsaiddifferential toueach of said drive-wheels L-of-said pair, andta pivotal connection between said differential and superstructure with the effective pivotalv axis thereof, extending substantially i-vertical-randrspaced longitudinally of ,the vehicle, from the ,center of the-differential, ,the .40 bank-ing axis for each banking .armrbeing spaced from-the connection betweensthe pendulum ax-1e .a-ndssaid banking-arm indirection and .amount ,isubstantially tcorresponding to l the spacing .of said pivotal .axis between thendifferentiahand superstructure from-the connectionpf. the .cor-

responding pendulum, axle with: the differential .to. avoidsub-steering of the wheels during bankti-ng of the superstructure.

16. In a vehicle, .-a superstructure, a plurality -of,.pairs,-of'laterallyspaced wheels, therefor, ,bankiragsuspensions including said wheels i to effect .rinwardwbankingi of lthe superstructure onturns, ..pendulum. ax1es foratleast :one; pair of wheels to provide for relative vertical oscillation between.the :wheelsnand the superstructure, asup- .port for therinner ends .of :said pendulum, axles, x andaa connection betweensaidsupport andzthe superstructure, having an, effective pivotal saxis W zdlSDOSGd inthe-longltudinal central vertical .plane 6O .ofr theisuperstructure-Hand inclined upwardly :to-

ward the transverse central verticalsplane-ofhthe --wheels .to-oooperate with saidbanking suspensions in maintaining ,the r wheels substantially .upright ,during lateral ,movement and banking l of the superstructure "on turns.

17. a vehicle of the-class ,describedsa'super- =structure, a pluralitylof;pairsfof wheels for supporti-ngtthensame, iataleastwone .;0fl said 'pairsuof t wheels constituting the drive ivvheels' therefor,

a banking arm disposed between the effective road contact point for each wheel and the superstructure to support the latter for inward banking on turns, a differential disposed between said pair of drive wheels, a pendulum axle extending universally pivotally from said differential to each of said drive wheels of said pair, and a pivotal connection between said differential and superstructure with the pivotal axis thereof inclined upwardly and passing above the differential from a position forwardly thereof to maintain the differential substantially level and the wheels substantially upright during lateral movement and banking of the superstructure on turns.

18. In a vehicle of the class described, a superstructure, a plurality of pairs of wheels for supporting the same at least one of which constitutes the drive wheels therefor, banking arms includin said wheels for supporting the superstructure and to effect inward banking of the superstructure in response to lateral movement thereof effected by centrifugal forces on turns, a diiferential disposed between said pair of drive wheels, a pendulum axle extending universally from said diiferential to each of said drive wheels of said pair with the outer end of each pendulum axle constituting a part of the corresponding banking arm, and means suspending said differential from said superstructure with an effective pivotal axis spaced substantially above said differential to control the position of the differential and wheels during banking movement of the superstructure.

19. In a vehicle, a superstructure, front and rear paired wheels therefor, generally longitudinally extending paired wheel guiding means, pivoted connecting means in intersecting planes between the wheel guiding means of each pair and the superstructure whereby the superstructure may assume an angular inclined position when subjected to lateral forces in a direction against said forces, resilient means to absorb vertical shock to which the wheels are subjected and to maintain the superstructure in a substantially upright position until subjected to predetermined lateral forces, substantially non-extensible pendulum axles for at least one pair of said wheels, and laterally floating means carried by said superstructure and connected to the inner ends of said pendulum axles to guide the latter during vertical oscillation of the wheels and during banking of the superstructure.

20. In a vehicle having a superstructure and Wheels supporting the same, resilient cushion means disposed to provide for vertical wheel oscillation relative to the superstructure, a leverage system disposed to operate said cushion means by both vertical forces and lateral forces on the superstructure whereby the lateral forces operate to actuate the cushion means on turns in a manner to prevent outward tilting of the superstructure, substantially non-extensible pendulum axles for at least one pair of said wheels, and laterally floating means carried by said superstructure and connected to the inner ends of said pendulum axles to guide the latter during operation of said cushion means.

21. In a motor vehicle, a superstructure, a pair of wheels at each end of said superstructure, the wheels at the front end being steerable and those at the rear end constituting drive wheels, means including said wheels for effecting inward banking of said superstructure on turns, an engine disposed at the forward end of said superstructure and carried thereby, a differential disposed between said drive Wheels and pivotally carried by said superstructure for movement relative to the superstructure correlated with the banking movement of the superstructure, drive connections between said differential and drive wheels, and a longitudinal drive shaft disposed between said engine and differential and having its ends carried by said superstructure, the rear end of said shaft being disposed substantially at the pivotal axis between the superstructure and differential.

22. A vehicle comprising a superstructure, a plurality of pairs of interconnected banking arms supporting said superstructure for inward banking movement in response to lateral movement of the superstructure relative to the wheels on curves, the interconnection for at least one of said pairs of banking arms comprising a guide rod carrying a corresponding wheel and extending inwardly from the corresponding banking arm toward the longitudinal vertical central plane of the vehicle, and a laterally floating support for the inner ends of said guide rods carried by the superstructure.

23. A vehicle comprising a superstructure, a plurality of pairs of interconnected banking arms supporting said superstructure for inward banking movement in response to lateral movement of the superstructure relative to the wheels on curves, at least one of said pairs of banking arms including a pair of road wheels at the outer ends thereof, and the interconnection for said last named banking arms comprising a guide rod extending inwardly from each banking arm in line with the axis of the corresponding wheel, and a laterally floating common support for the inner ends of said guide rods carried by the superstructure.

24. A vehicle comprising a superstructure, a plurality of pairs of interconnected banking arms supporting said superstructure for inward banking movement in response to lateral movement of the superstructure relative to the wheels on curves, at least one of said pairs of banking arms including a pair of road wheels at the outer ends thereof, and the interconnection for said last,

named banking arms comprising a guide rod extending inwardly from each banking arm in line with the axis of the corresponding wheel, and a laterally floatin common support for the inner ends of said guide rods carried by the superstructure, said common support being pivotally connected to the superstructure to govern movement of said guide rods in correlation to the action of said banking arms.

J OACHIM KOLBE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re.21,605 Kolbe Oct. 22, 1940 2,015,700 Wagner Oct. 1, 1935 2,203,056 Kolbe June 4, 1940 2,341,726 Kolbe Feb. 15, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 512,296 Germany Nov. 8, 1930 

